It sounds crazy but this is a proposal that the Labour Government are thinking about.

quote : On the future role of MI5 in intelligence gathering, it is understood the government is suggesting Northern Ireland MPs might be appointed to the Westminster intelligence and security committee in order to oversee the security service.

Whilst Big Ian and Gerald are at a devolution stalemate, It's looking like the Northern Ireland Assembley may be put into cold storage forever and direct rule from London continues.

It sounds crazy but this is a proposal that the Labour Government are thinking about.

quote : On the future role of MI5 in intelligence gathering, it is understood the government is suggesting Northern Ireland MPs might be appointed to the Westminster intelligence and security committee in order to oversee the security service.

Whilst Big Ian and Gerald are at a devolution stalemate, It's looking like the Northern Ireland Assembley may be put into cold storage forever and direct rule from London continues.

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Well, in order to get onto any Westminster Committees the five Sinn Fein MP's (Adams, McGuinness, Conor Murphy, Michelle Gildernew and Pat Doherty) would have to formally take up their seats. To do this they would need to take the oath of allegiance - which they will not do as it is de facto recognition of the British Governments right to rule over Northern Ireland and therefore the partition of Ireland, something that Sinn Fein is implacably opposed to.

DUP, UUP and SDLP MP's - maybe, but I think that you are making too big a leap of faith on this one.

Also in the picture was Mary Lou McDonald, though only about half of her face could be seen most of the time on the BBC. Note that she was in the front row next too Adams. Mary Lou is standing in the Dublin Central seat for Sinn Fein in the Irish General Election. She is a rising star within Sinn Fein and her prescence on that particular photo opportunity should not be ignored.